GBP Chapter 1066 Deception After Deception
Chapter 1066 Deception After Deception
When Consort Yang emerged from Yonghe Palace, she was deathly pale and swaying precariously. Cui Rong had grasped her thoughts so perfectly that she had no way out and no possibility of escape.
She didn't care whether she lived or died, but the feeling of wanting to die but not being able to, and having to implicate her family, was worse than death for her.
"Your Highness," a palace maid said, supporting her with some concern.
"It's alright," Consort Yang took a breath and said, "Send a message home and ask my father to come to the palace tomorrow!"
…………
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye. After receiving the message, Cui He did not delay and went to the palace early to visit his sister after having breakfast.
Cui Rong had mixed feelings about her good-for-nothing younger brother. On the one hand, he was useless, stupid, and easy to manipulate. On the other hand, he had received too much favoritism and upbringing from the family since childhood, which made her jealous and resentful. She also hated him for being useless and unable to help her.
Besides, the two grew up together, so it's impossible for them to have no feelings for each other at all. She can be ruthless and even hate her own father, Cui Rong, but she can't do the same to her younger brother.
Cui He was still naively convinced that his sister loved him very much, especially after their father passed away, when Cui Rong stood in front of him and helped him secure the greatest benefits.
"Sister, is there something you need that you summoned me to the palace in such a hurry?"
"I summoned you to the palace, of course there's something I need to discuss," Cui Rong said with a gentle smile and a friendly tone, as she reached out to straighten her younger brother's cuffs.
This made Cui He a little embarrassed. "Sister, just tell me what's wrong. Even though Father is gone, I'm still here!"
Looking at Cui He's impetuous and sincere expression, Cui Rong sighed and whispered:
"Yes, you are the eldest son of our Cui family. Now that our father is gone, I can only discuss things with you. Don't think that just because I am now the Empress, I have many things that I cannot control. I still need your help behind the scenes."
"You've seen the recent situation at court. The ministers are all plotting rebellion, banding together to embarrass His Majesty. I, your sister, have seen it all and am deeply worried. Our Cui family stands firmly on His Majesty's side, and we certainly cannot allow this situation to continue."
"Sigh, yes, I'm anxious too, but I don't have any good ideas," Cui He said. Although he wasn't very smart, he knew that the emperor's trust was their biggest support.
Now that his backer is in trouble, how could he not be anxious?
“I’ve thought about this carefully, and I’ve finally figured it out. The reason they dare to act this way is because His Majesty has never truly consolidated power since ascending the throne. He’s been too laissez-faire, which has led to his officials wielding too much power. Now it seems like the servants are bullying their master,” Cui Rong analyzed calmly.
"Therefore, we cannot continue like this from now on. His Majesty is neglecting state affairs, and this is difficult to change. From now on, we must put power in the hands of our own people in order to restrain them."
Cui He was somewhat confused. "Now the Imperial Guards and the Five City Garrison Commands are all in our own hands, and the rest are placed in the Six Ministries. But promotion takes time. We can't just appoint relatives and friends directly. That would easily leave room for criticism and make other officials even more dissatisfied, wouldn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Cui Rong lowered her eyelashes and asked indifferently, "So what if they practice nepotism? His Majesty took a step back before, but what were the consequences? Taking a step back means taking another step back. To be honest, they are just a bunch of guys who fight with their mouths. They bully the weak and fear the strong. If they really encounter someone like Bai Chao who is unreasonable and doesn't follow the rules, they are helpless."
"Sister, you mean..."
“I’ve thought it over. Having the Imperial Guards and the Five Cities Garrison alone isn’t enough. We need military power. The first step will be Juyong Pass. My father has guarded Juyong Pass for many years, and the generals under him are all his trusted confidants who have followed him for many years. Even if my father dies, I believe they will still give the Cui family some face. It’s the easiest place to send people there. Besides, Juyong Pass is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It’s the closest line of defense to the capital and cannot be handed over to outsiders.”
"Could it be...could it be that you want me to go? I can't do it," Cui He waved his hands repeatedly.
Seeing this, Cui Rong wanted to explode again, "Can't you be a little more capable? Your father was a wise man all his life, how could he have given birth to such a useless son like you!"
Cui He said aggrievedly, "I'm not a coward, I just don't want to suffer there. You know what the situation is like at Juyong Pass. How can it be compared to the capital? Besides, the situation may not be as serious as you say."
"I didn't originally intend to send you, but the way you talk makes me really angry."
Hearing that it wasn't him, Cui He was relieved and, ignoring his sister's disapproving look, asked, "Then who should go?"
"Send a letter to Yangyuan County, tell your uncle to make preparations, and send your eldest cousin."
“Big cousin?” Cui He repeated, “Yes, he is quite capable, but he is a civil official. I’m afraid my uncle won’t be happy about it. After all, everyone wants to be a civil official in times of peace and prosperity.”
"You think your uncle is like you?" Cui Rong said irritably. "My uncle is a shrewd man with a broad perspective. Now that my father is gone, he will definitely not refuse if I ask him for help. Moreover, my cousin is different from my uncle. He is chivalrous and has a heart for serving his country. I would feel at ease sending someone like that to Juyong Pass."
"Also, have the spies the Yang family has planted keep a close eye on things and report any movements immediately."
"Why are you keeping an eye on the Yang family?" Cui He was puzzled again.
"I used the Yang family as a shield to keep the Qian family in check. A powerful family like theirs would never willingly work for me, so just in case, I have to keep a close eye on them," Cui Rong explained.
Cui He was incredibly impressed. "The Yang family actually listens to us. What leverage do we have over them this time?"
"As for his weaknesses, we do have them, but you don't need to worry about them too much," Cui Rong scolded, then explained the general situation, and finally instructed: "Find someone who looks similar and arrange him in the other courtyard, don't let him see anyone."
"This works?" Cui He was ashamed.
Cui Rong chuckled and said indifferently, "What's wrong with that? Truth and falsehood are intertwined, isn't that what people do all the time?"